Xplosion Edge Silverbacks to Remain Undefeated at Home
by Randy Snow
Published on June 3, 2008 under Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Kalamazoo Xplosion
Two weeks ago, the Kalamazoo Xplosion traveled to Troy, Ohio and came away with an easy 48-13 win over the Miami Valley Silverbacks. However, when the Silverbacks came to Kalamazoo last Saturday night (May 31), it was a much closer game. A last second field goal by Kalamazoo gave the Xplosion a 46-43 win just when it looked like the team might be headed for its fourth overtime game of the season.
The Silverbacks were a determined team that was not intimidated by the Great Lakes East Division champions or their 11-0 home record at Wings Stadium over the past two seasons. The difference was in the fact that several Miami Valley players who played in the game this time around did not play in the previous game against Kalamazoo.
The game was close for most of the first half and Miami Valley trailed 21-16 at halftime. The Silverbacks took the lead 22-21 lead early in the third quarter on a 33-yard touchdown pass from QB Jim Oliver to WR Ray Kemp. Kalamazoo answered with a 10-yard touchdown grab by WR Brian Dolph. A two-point conversion by WR Dan Musielewicz gave the Xplosion a 29-21 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Miami Valley was up 36-29 when Xplosion quarterback Randy Hutchison connected with Dolph again. Dolph caught the ball in an open part of the field and raced towards the end zone. Two defenders caught up to him at about the eight-yard line, but Dolph refused to give up on the play and kept fighting for yardage. He didn't stop until he crossed the goal line for a touchdown. The score was now tied 36-36.
With the score tied again at 43-43 with under a minute to play and Miami Valley with the ball, it looked like Kalamazoo might lose their first home games ever at Wings Stadium. But the Xplosion defense was able to stop the Silverbacks on a fourth down play and had a chance to win the game in regulation. Kalamazoo took over at the Miami Valley 16-yard line with 15.5 second left in the game. A few plays later, Hutchison could not find an open receiver, so he took off running. With a defender closing in fast on him, he headed for the sideline to stop the clock and collided hard with the wall.
"I think the wall was moving in on me because I got there fast," Hutchison said. "I got a push (from a defender) right at the end. I bit my tongue and was seeing double there for a couple of minutes."
Hutchison was lying on the ground for a bit after the play but eventually got up and was cheered by the crowd. He even held the ball on the next play for Xplosion kicker Brad Selent, who booted the game winning 28-yard field goal with one second left on the clock.
"We knew (Miami Valley) was fighting for their lives," said head coach Mike Sparks after the game. "They played as tremendous game."
With the loss, Miami Valley's record falls to 3-8.
NEXT GAME
The Xplosion (10-1) will host the Fort Wayne Freedom (5-6) this Saturday night, June 7 at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo. It will be the regular season finale for both teams. Kalamazoo defeated the Freedom 50-34 back on March 27 in Fort Wayne.
Kalamazoo will also host a first round playoff game on Saturday, June 14. The opponent for that game will be determined after this weekend's games.
SEEKING FOOTBALL DONATIONS
Operation Gridiron Airlift will be on hand prior to the Freedom game this week collecting new and used footballs that will be sent to our troops serving overseas. So if you plan on attending the Xplosion game, please bring a football to donate and help support our troops.
For more information on Operation Gridiron Airlift, visit www.theworldoffootball.com.
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Randy Snow is a freelance football writer from Kalamazoo, Michigan and is the organizer of Operation Gridiron Airlift. Since 2003, he has covered the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, United Indoor Football, the Continental Indoor Football League, the All American Football League and the Canadian Football League. Randy has been a member of the Arena Football League Writer's Association since 2005 and can be reached at randysnow22@yahoo.com
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from June 3, 2008
- Xplosion Edge Silverbacks to Remain Undefeated at Home - OSC Original by Randy Snow
- Muskegon Thunder Slide Continues in Loss to Chicago Slaughter - Muskegon Thunder
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
